Slide Valve Control Device and a Drive Device for Use With It

ABSTRACT

A valve control device, in particular for control pods or similar equipment used in the mining and/or production of mineral oil/natural gas, comprises a valve housing in which hole or boring sections are arranged, and a valve slide movable relative to the hole sections, with at least a first and a second flow hole for the alternative connection of a feed line from a fluid pressure hose with at least one actuator or of the actuator to return line for leading the fluid away, wherein in each case one of the connections is made and the other is interrupted. To improve such a valve control device in that with only slight and economical constructional modifications with retention of all the advantages of known valve control devices, a substantial reduction in the leakage flow is facilitated or even almost completely suppressed, at least first and second valve elements which in the closed position can be pressed onto a valve seat formed especially at a hole section are laterally assigned to the flow holes, wherein in the connection position of the first flow hole the second valve element is in the closed position and in the connecting position of the second flow hole the first valve element is in the closed position each pressed onto the respective assigned valve seat in its closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to PCT/EP2004/007330 filed 5Jul. 2004 hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a valve control device with the features of thegeneric part of patent Claim 1 and a drive device which can inparticular be used for the valve control device.

Such valve control devices are for example employed with so-calledcontrol pods or similar equipment in the mining and/or production ofmineral oil/natural gas Such a control pod can for example be arrangedon the sea bed and is used at the point of application with a range ofvalve control devices for the adjustment, actuation and control ofvalves, throttles, blowout preventers and other equipment.

A suitable valve control device exhibits a valve housing in whichvarious hole sections are arranged. Relative to these hole sections avalve slide with at least a first and a second flow hole is movablysupported inside the valve housing. The valve slide is in each casedisplaced with the flow holes such that the corresponding flow holescomplement the hole sections for the flow of an appropriate fluid or, ifan appropriate flow hole is not aligned to the hole sections, the flowthrough these hole sections is interrupted. If the hole sections arecomplemented by a flow hole, then a connection can alternatively be madeby it between a feed line of a fluid pressure source to at least oneactuator or between an actuator to a return line for leading the fluidaway.

In the first case the fluid is fed to the actuator, whereby it forexample actuates a valve, throttle, blowout preventer or similar device.If this actuation is to be interrupted, the fluid which is underpressure is routed through the appropriate flow hole from the actuatorto the return line by displacement of the valve slide into anotherposition and by connecting other hole sections.

Appropriate to the number of hole sections, flow holes and return andfeed lines, various valve control devices can be realised, such as forexample 2/2, 3/2, 4/2, 4/3, 5/2, 5/3 directional control valves orsimilar devices.

With such a known valve control device the sealing of the hole sectionsnot connected by means of a flow hole occurs by the valve slide itselfand appropriate sealing elements between the slide, the hole sectionsand the valve housing. With such valve control devices it has howeverbeen found that especially with the often very high pressures required,particularly in the field of mineral/natural gas mining or production, aleakage flow of the pressure fluid in the respective valve controldevice with the valve slide in the closed position cannot be neglected.Since generally, many such valve control devices in one control pod oralso many control pods with a large number of valve control devices areemployed at the point of application, a serious problem arises withregard to the replenishment of pressure fluid as well as regardingcontamination of the environment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The object of the invention is therefore to improve a valve controldevice of the type mentioned at the beginning such that with only slightand economical constructional modifications with retention of all theadvantages of known valve control devices, a substantial reduction inthe leakage flow is facilitated or even almost completely suppressed.

The object is solved by the features of patent Claim 1.

According to the invention, valve elements are laterally assigned to theappropriate flow holes of the valve slide. In its closed position eachof these valve elements can in each case be pressed onto a valve seat,in particular formed on a hole section. In the connected position of thefirst flow hole, i.e. when it is aligned to the corresponding holesections, the second valve element is in the closed position and viceversa, when the second flow hole is in the connected position, the firstvalve element is in the closed position, i.e. the valve elements are ineach case pressed onto the assigned valve seats.

In this manner, when the flow hole is displaced for interruption of theassigned hole sections, the hole sections are not sealed by the valveslide itself and, where applicable, appropriate seals, but instead by arespective valve element provided separately for this purpose. Due tothe pressing of the valve element onto the valve seat, a good seal isachieved which minimises a corresponding leakage flow and, whereapplicable, almost eliminates it. The valve elements can be constructedquite simply so that the constructional modifications to the valve slideor the valve housing in the region of the hole sections are relativelyslight. This applies analogously also to the costs of such separatevalve elements.

There is the possibility that such a valve element can be movablysupported in the valve housing relative to the associated valve seat ofthe hole section. The movement can in this connection be caused by themovement of the valve slide.

However, in order to be able to essentially assign all movable elementsto the valve slide and consequently where applicable to also render themeasier to maintain or replace, the valve element can be movablysupported in the valve slide and in particular in a valve slidereceptacle open to the outside. When the valve slide is in anappropriate position, the valve element is pressed onto the valve seatof the corresponding hole section, hence sealing this hole section. Whensupported in the receptacle open to the outside, the valve element inits closed position moves out of the receptacle so far that it ispressed onto the valve seat to seal it. When the valve slide moves, thevalve element can be inserted into the receptacle again so far byrelative movement along the valve seat that movement of the valve slideinto further positions cannot be obstructed.

Easily produced and well-sealing valve elements can be realised forexample in that such a valve element is a valve ball.

When using an appropriate valve element adjacent to and in co-ordinationwith the flow hole and in order to be able to retain an installed lengthof the valve slide almost unchanged compared to those without valveelements, the flow hole can at least partially be routed around thereceptacle and/or valve elements. This can occur for example through acurved passage of the flow hole.

In this connection it is easier to produce flow holes which exhibit afirst subsection pointing away from the receptacle and a secondsubsection pointing to the valve element. These subsections can each runessentially in a straight line so that both subsections are arranged inan approximate V-shape in combination.

In order to press the valve element onto the valve seat sufficiently,appropriate force application devices, such as springs or similar itemsare conceivable. The construction of the valve slide with valve elementscan however be simplified further if the pressure in the pressure fluid,which is contained in the relevant hole section, is exploited for thedisplacement and for pressing of the valve element on the valve seat.This can for example occur in that a pressing supply hole opens into thereceptacle, which exhibits smaller dimensions compared to the flow hole.It should however be noted that for example with the use of two valveelements, one is movable in the direction of such a hole section and canbe pressed on it, the said hole section being connected to the feedline, and the other valve element is movable in the direction of such ahole section and can be pressed on it, the said hole section beingconnected to the return line. Depending on the construction of the valvecontrol—refer to the directional control valves quoted above—severalcorresponding valve elements can be moved in the appropriate directionand pressed onto their associated valve seat.

There is the possibility that with frequent actuation of the appropriatevalve elements and with a high applied pressure, where applicable, thevalve seat is subject to wear and the corresponding sealing effectbetween the valve seat and the valve element degrades in the course oftime. Therefore, in order to be able to replace such a valve seat in asimple manner by a new one, the valve seat can be formed as a seatingring supported, in particular releasably, in the valve housing.

In order to facilitate removal and fitting of the seating ring in aconstructively simple manner, a screw-in element with a longitudinalhole can be screwed into the valve housing for fixing the seating ring,whereby the longitudinal hole of the screw-in element and the ringopening of the seating ring form at least part of the appropriate holesection.

In order, if necessary, to be able to design the valve devices morevariably and to be able to continue with feed lines and/or return linesin different directions, they can be continued by main feed and/orreturn lines in the upper and/or lower housing covers.

For simplified access to the valve device for maintenance or repair, theupper and lower housing covers can be releasably attached to one anotherfor fixing the valve housing.

A simple embodiment of such an attachment can be realised by threadedstuds. These can extend just between the housing covers or also inaddition through the valve housing.

In particular with ball-shaped valve elements, it may prove to beadvantageous if the receptacle is formed essentially as a hollowcylinder with an approximately hemispherical bottom section, whereby thepressure supply line opens in the bottom section, in particularcentrally.

The valve element is at least partially accommodated by the bottomsection when it is not in contact with the valve seat. The valve elementis guided along the hollow cylinder when it is pressed in the directionof the valve seat by pressure fluid fed via the pressure supply line andthe corresponding valve seat is arranged aligned to the hollow cylinder.

In order to provide a valve seat, which has a good sealing effect andalso exhibits a long service life, the seating ring can be eroded atleast on its surface which forms the valve seat. In a favourable mannerthe appropriate surface is formed essentially according to the sectionof the valve element which presses on it and for example rounded off.

A sufficiently heavy duty and durable valve element can also be obtainedin that it is formed at least partially out of ceramics or hard metal.

In order to be able to form the most varied directional control valvesand valve control devices for different applications, the valve housingcan be especially releasably composed of many housing segments, wherebythe valve slide is movably supported in corresponding slide holes of thehousing segments. Such housing segments are for example those with ahole section, those for accommodation of the seating ring and screw-inelement as well as, if necessary, further segments for the separation ofthe segments with hole sections, for the termination of the valvehousing at the ends, for accommodating a drive device, etc.

The valve slide need not however be supported movably in all housingsegments, but rather there is also the possibility that the valvehousing is closed off at ends in the movement direction of the valveslide by appropriate housing segments.

The housing segments can be standardised and can also be used indifferent orientations in order for example to realise hole sections indifferent orientations. In order to prevent a leakage flow between thehousing segments and the valve slide, the housing segments can be sealedone to the other and/or relative to the valve slide.

Simple arrangement and retention of the various housing segments by thehousing covers can be achieved in that for example the housing segmentsexhibit essentially a square or rectangular cross-section and areconnected to one another in the region of their four corners. Such aconnection can occur using appropriate threaded studs or similarcomponents which, if necessary, can also pass through all housingsegments.

Through the application of such housing segments each valve housing withappropriate valve slide is of modular construction. In order to be ableto progress further with these variable methods, in particular fordifferent applications and requirements, two or more valve housings canbe arranged adjacently between the housing covers and each connected tothe main feed and/or return line. In this way, due to the modularconstruction of the valve control device a large number of actuators orsimilar devices can be operated simultaneously, while only one main feedor return line is needed and only standardised individual parts are usedirrespective of the size of the complete device.

Advantageous arrangements of the main feed or return lines can be seenif they extend lateral to the valve slide in the housing covers.Analogously a suitable actuator supply line, in particular of a valvehousing, which extends in the direction of the actuator, can be formedin the longitudinal direction of the valve slide in a housing cover.

In order to be able to arrange and orientate the various valve housingsadjacently and also the various segments of a valve housing one behindthe other in a simple manner, the housing covers can exhibit anindentation for the interlocking accommodation of the valve housings orhousing segments.

If for example only one valve housing is used, the appropriate housingcovers exhibit small dimensions and the corresponding indentation isonly used for the interlocking accommodation of the housing segments ofone valve housing. With the use of two or more valve housings,appropriately larger housing covers are selected which accordingly, withthe main lines formed in them, supply the various feed and return linesin each valve housing.

For the further sealing of the seating ring an especiallycircular-shaped sealing element can also be arranged between thescrew-in element and the seating ring.

It has already been pointed out above that the valve housing can alsocomprise a housing segment for a drive device. This drive device can forexample be actuated electrically and assigned to the valve slide formovement in the longitudinal direction. The movement due to the drivedevice may occur only in one direction, whilst the restoration in theopposite direction may occur using a spring element or similar device.There is also the possibility that the drive device causes the movementof the valve slide in both directions.

In the appropriate drive housing segment the complete drive device canbe accommodated and operated separately. The accommodation can alsoinclude appropriate control circuits, sensors for monitoring the drivedevice, etc.

Depending on the length of the valve slide or depending on the field ofapplication for the valve control device, different power ratings of theelectrical drive device may also be required. In this respect, the drivedevice and the motor housing segment may also be of modularconstruction. This means that the drive housing segment is constructedusing appropriate subsegments or contains those which can each comprisesubdrive units which may be assembled together to form a powerful drivedevice.

Generally, the drive device can be actuated by remote control so thatessentially no electrical control cables need to be routed to theoutside. However, appropriate supply cables may be provided for theelectrical supply. In order to be able to route appropriate supplyand/or control cables, if necessary, to the outside from the valvecontrol device, at least one supply hole may be arranged for the passageof such cables in at least one housing cover.

There are various methods possible for a movable link between the drivedevice and the valve slide. For example the drive device can move aplunger to and fro as actuating element which then acts on the valveslide to adjust it. There is also the possibility that the movable linkoccurs indirectly by means of a gear, etc. A further possibility can beseen in that the valve slide extends up to the motor housing segment andis directly movably connected to the drive device in this segment.

If the valve slide exhibits a circular-shaped cross-section, it mayprove to be necessary to define the alignment of the valve slide withrespect to the housing segments. This can occur in that the valve slideis supported movably and rotationally rigidly at its slide end facingaway from the drive unit in an end segment of the valve housing.

Many methods are conceivable for the rotationally rigid support. In onesimple method an alignment protrusion of the valve slide may protrudeessentially radially outwards and be guided in an alignment groove inthe end segment.

The invention also relates to a drive device which can in particular beused for the adjustment of a valve slide of a valve control device ofthe previously mentioned type. Using simple construction and aneconomical method, this drive device should cause a rapid to-and-fromovement of the valve slide, if necessary also directly and shouldespecially be able to be actuated electrically. Such a drive deviceexhibits at least a stationary fixed magnet and a mobile magnet movablysupported relative to it. In order to facilitate a to-and-fro movement,at least one of these magnets can be switched in its magneticpolarisation, whereby, depending on the polarisation, the mobile magnetcan be moved to and fro between an attraction and a repulsion positionrelative to the fixed magnet and is movably connected to an actuatingelement. Such a drive device is also suitable for the adjustment ofother devices where especially a to-and-fro movement between twopositions is desired.

If, for example, the fixed magnet and the mobile magnet exhibit opposingmagnetic polarisations at their ends facing one another, they willattract and the mobile magnet will move in the direction of the fixedmagnet. Due to the movable link to the mobile magnet, the actuatingelement also moves analogously. If a polarisation is reversed, the fixedmagnet and the mobile magnet repel each other so that the mobile magnetmoves away from the fixed magnet and the actuating element movesanalogously.

In connection with the valve control device the actuating element can bemovably connected to the appropriate valve slide or valve spool. In thisrespect it is sufficient if the actuating element only moves the valveslide in one direction, whereby the movement in the reverse directioncan occur for example by means of a force applied by spring elements,etc. However, there is also the possibility that the to-and-fro movementof the actuating element, caused by the appropriate movement of themobile magnet is transferred to the valve slide in both directions ofmovement.

The effectiveness of such a drive device can be improved still furtherin that the mobile magnet is supported for movement to and fro betweentwo fixed magnets, each magnetically reverse polarised with respect tothe other. This means that the fixed magnets arranged on both sides ofthe mobile magnet each face the mobile magnet with poles of the samepolarity, so that, depending on its polarisation, it is attracted in thedirection of one or other fixed magnet and it is repelled by the otherfixed magnet.

There is the possibility that the mobile magnet is a permanent magnet sothat the appropriate switching of the magnetic polarisation occurs onthe fixed magnets. This is for example possible by means of anappropriate electrical winding and current flow through this winding.

However, in order to require fewer electrical windings and alsocorrespondingly fewer supply and control cables, the mobile magnet canbe switchable in its magnetic polarisation.

Although in this connection there is the possibility that also the fixedmagnets can be switched in their polarisation and are also formed aselectromagnets, the construction of the drive device is however moresimple if the appropriate fixed magnets are permanent magnets.

In order to be able to form the mobile magnet in a simple manner with asufficiently strong magnetic field strength and to form it for switchingin its polarisation, it may comprise an iron core and at least oneelectrical winding on its circumference.

In order to be able to also form the permanent magnets sufficientlystrong and at the same time with small dimensions, such a permanentmagnet can especially be a sintered neodymium magnet.

The actuating element does not need to be directly connected to themobile magnet, but can be movably connected to it in suitable manner.Similarly, there is the possibility that the mobile magnet for exampleextends beyond the fixed magnets perpendicular to its movement directionbetween the fixed magnets and is movably connected there to anappropriate actuating element. If the actuating element is to besupported and also guided in a simple manner, it may be regarded asadvantageous if at least one fixed magnet comprises a guide hole runningin the movement direction of the mobile magnet, the actuating elementbeing passed through the said guide hole. This guide hole may especiallybe formed centrally in the permanent magnet, whereby the actuatingelement may also be movably connected centrally to the mobile magnet.

In its movement the mobile magnet may also move appropriate actuatingelements in both directions in that for example the actuating elementprotrudes at both ends of the mobile magnet and passes throughappropriate guide holes in both assigned fixed magnets. Consequently, anappropriate actuation of an actuator, a valve device or similar device,may occur on both sides of the drive device in the movement direction ofthe mobile magnet. This can also take place with just one actuatingelement, which for example also passes through the mobile magnet and isattached to it or with actuating elements which each protrude on oneside of the mobile magnet.

To improve the action of the mobile magnet and to realise simplified andfast magnetic reversal requiring little power, the iron core of themobile magnet may be formed as a short-circuited second winding.

It has already been pointed out above that a suitable drive housingsegment for a valve control device according to the invention can alsobe of modular construction, i.e. made from different housing segments.This may occur for example in that the fixed magnets are each supportedin a housing segment, especially of aluminium. This may be ring-shapedor square.

The modular construction of the drive device can be characterised inthat in each case a mobile magnet is arranged between two fixed magnetsand in each case all mobile magnets are connected to the actuatingelement.

In order to fit each mobile magnet to the actuating element sufficientlyfirmly, the actuating element may comprise a longitudinal hole in whichat least one engaging element is essentially radially movably supportedbetween a release position and a hold position, whereby in the holdposition the engaging element protrudes from a wall opening of theactuating element and engages an engagement recess in the mobile magnet.Such an engaging element may be provided for each mobile magnet. Themobile magnet may also be attached by screwing, wedging, etc. and alsoby gluing, etc.

A simple method for the displacement of the actuating element can beseen in that at least one wedge element is movably supported in thelongitudinal hole in the longitudinal direction. This wedge element maycomprise wedge surfaces at various places so that also several mobilemagnets are attached to appropriate engaging elements in the associatedengaging recesses on the actuating element by the movement of only onewedge element.

In connection with the valve control device according to the inventionit is especially advantageous if the actuating element is the valveslide or spool. In this way no movement coupling between the actuatingelement and the valve slide is necessary, but instead the valve slide isextended on the side of the drive device so far that it passes throughit and especially through the fixed magnets and mobile magnets, and themobile magnets are mounted on the valve slide in an appropriatemanner—refer also to the previous descriptions. Consequently themovement of the mobile magnets is directly transferred to the valveslide.

A simple embodiment of an appropriate drive housing can be seen in thatit comprises an essentially cylindrical drive housing segment, open atone end and with an attachable cover. If the valve slide is releasedfrom the appropriate mobile magnets, if necessary, the complete drivehousing can be removed from the valve housing when using the drivedevice for the valve control device according to the invention.Similarly, there is the possibility of just removing the cover of thedrive housing segment and then removing or at least rendering accessiblethe various housing segments within the drive housing after releasingthe mobile magnets from the valve slide.

In this connection the valve slide may extend up into the cover so thatthe drive housing segment and/or the cover comprise flow holes for thepassage of the actuating element or valve slide.

In order to directly arrange the fixed magnets within the drive housingsegment and to be able to attach them spaced from one another, fixedmagnetic segments for the fixed magnets and retainer rings for themobile magnets can be arranged within the drive housing segment,especially alternating.

In this connection it may furthermore be regarded as favourable if theretainer rings are simultaneously arranged as spacer elements betweenthe fixed magnet segments.

In order to be able to save an appropriate housing segment at least forthe fixed magnet immediately adjacent to the cover of the drive housing,such a fixed magnet may be supported in a cover indentation in thecover. In this connection the cover and the rest of the drive housingmay also be produced in aluminium.

There is the possibility of bringing appropriate electrical supply andcontrol cables through the cover out of the drive housing. Anothermethod can also be seen in that the drive housing comprises at least aside opening for the passage of these cables. When used with the valvecontrol device according to the invention, this side opening is forexample aligned to the supply hole in the valve housing.

To enable a simple displacement of the engaging element between therelease and the hold positions and at the same time to reliably hold theengaging element also in the release position, the wedge element maycomprise an end section with a retaining recess for the engaging elementin the release position and an adjacent guiding end. In this way theengaging element is always arranged between the appropriate wedgesurfaces and in the guiding end. The guiding end may be formedappropriate to the hole within the actuating element or within the valveslide so that it aids the guidance of the wedge element in this hole.

The movement of the mobile magnet away from an attraction position maybe supported in that at least one spring element is assigned to theactuating element, especially between the mobile and fixed magnets forapplying a force to the mobile magnet away from the fixed magnet.Generally however, such supplementary spring elements may be omitted dueto the switching of the polarisation of the mobile magnet and theapplication of two assigned fixed magnets.

There is the possibility that the reversal of the magnetic polarisationoccurs in each case due to the external feed of current of differentpolarity. However, it is more simple and advantageous if the winding ofthe mobile magnet is assigned an electrical circuit for the reversal ofthe current direction. Consequently, no change of polarity of thecurrent or voltage feed externally need take place, but instead anelectronic switchover occurs which can also occur, if necessary, muchfaster and more effectively.

To achieve this, the electrical circuit can generate with a switch,especially an electronic switch, current pulses in the reverse directionwhich then flow through the electrical winding where they produce amagnetic field, as also especially in the iron core of the mobilemagnet, so long until the mobile magnet is released from one fixedmagnet and has taken up its attraction position relative to the otherfixed magnet. In this connection it should be noted that the attractionposition of the mobile magnet relative to one fixed magnet correspondsto the repulsion position relative to the other fixed magnet and viceversa. In the attraction position the mobile magnet can be in directcontact with the fixed magnet.

There is namely the possibility that current continues to flow throughthe electrical winding of the mobile magnet in the attraction position.However, due to the iron core of the mobile magnet and the appropriatestrength of the magnetic field of the fixed magnets it is generallysufficient if the winding is essentially free of holding current betweenthe corresponding current pulses. This means that after the terminationof an appropriate current pulse the induced magnetic field of the mobilemagnet decays and the attraction position is retained solely based onthe attractive force of the corresponding fixed magnet. An appropriatecurrent pulse is again fed, this time with reverse sign, only for movingthe mobile magnet in the direction of the other fixed magnet, so thatthe mobile magnet is repelled from its former attraction position and ismoved in the direction of the other fixed magnet. Once the mobile magnethas moved sufficiently far in this direction to take up its newattraction position, the current can again be switched off.

The drive device according to the invention has the advantage especiallyby the use of current pulses, of the mobile magnet iron core used as ashort-circuited winding and of the appropriate electronic circuit that acorresponding switching time for the drive device is less than 10 ms,preferably less than 5 ms and especially preferably less than 1 ms. Sucha switching time corresponds here to the time needed for the mobilemagnet to move from one fixed magnet to the other.

In the following, advantageous embodiments of the invention areexplained in more detail based on the figures enclosed in the drawing.

The following are shown:

FIG. 1 a plan view of a valve control device with several valve housingsarranged adjacently at the side;

FIG. 2 a section along the line II-II from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a front elevation of the valve control device according to FIG.1;

FIG. 4 a section along the line IV-IV from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a valve control device according to FIG. 2 with an appropriatevalve housing without housing cover;

FIG. 6 a plan view of the valve housing according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 a schematic diagram of the drive device according to theinvention, and

FIG. 8 a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit for the drive deviceaccording to FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a valve control device 1according to the invention. The plan view is shown on an upper housingcover 27. This is releasably connected to a lower housing cover 28—referalso to FIG. 2—by means of four threaded studs 31 arranged in itscorners. In the upper housing cover 27 four pairs of supply holes 46 arearranged through which the electrical supply and control cables 47, 48are brought out—refer also to FIG. 5.

The valve control device according to FIG. 1 is for example arranged ina control pod, whereby several of these valve control devices can bepresent. Such a control pod is used in the mining and production ofmineral oil or natural gas for the control of a range of actuators, suchas for example valves, throttles, blowout preventers, etc. by means ofsuch valve control devices 1 according to the invention.

In FIG. 2 a section along the line II-II from FIG. 1 is illustrated.

The valve control device 1 according to FIG. 2 comprises four valvehousings 2, 39, 40, 41 arranged adjacent to one another. These are heldinterlocking in an appropriate indentation 42 in the upper and lowerhousing covers 27, 28 where they are fixed by means of the appropriatemounting of the housing covers using threaded studs 31. The appropriatevalve housings 2, 39, 40, 41 are arranged directly adjacently and have asquare cross-section.

Lateral to the longitudinal direction of the appropriate valve housingin the upper housing cover 27 a main return line 30 is arranged fromwhich the pressure fluid can be fed back via the various valve housingsfrom appropriate actuators via actuator supply lines 85 formed in thelower housing cover 28. In the region of each valve housing a returnline 12 branches off the main return line 30, whereby this occursanalogously also for the return lines 12 in the region of the lowerhousing cover and for connection to the actuator supply lines 85.

The valve control device 1 according to FIG. 2 is used with the fourvalve housings for the control of four different actuators—refer to thecorresponding actuator supply lines 85. The individual valve housingsare sealed using sealing elements 88 at least relative to the housingcovers. The sealing occurs especially on both sides adjacent to thecorresponding return lines 12.

In the corners 38 of the valve housings, which are square incross-section, threaded studs 87 are screwed in, which releasably attachtogether various housing segments of a single valve housing, whereby amodular construction of the complete valve control device 1 isfacilitated by these housing segments and also by the adjacentarrangement of the individual valve housings.

Within each valve housing 2, 39, 40, 41 a valve slide or spool, in thefollowing only referred to as slide, 7 is movably supported. This isarranged approximately in the middle of each valve housing. Depending onthe position of the valve slide, a connection of the return lines 12occurs so that pressure fluid can be fed back from the actuator supplyline 85 to the main return line 30 or to the individual return lines 12or from the main feed line 29 to the actuator supply line 85. In thisway the appropriate actuator is controlled in its actuation.

In the upper half of each valve housing according to FIG. 2 a screw-inelement 25 is arranged, between which and the valve slide 7 a seatingring 24 is arranged in each case. This seating ring is used for pressingon a valve element—refer also to FIG. 4. Each of the screw-in elements25 comprises a longitudinal hole 26 which together with the centralopening of the seating ring 24 forms a first hole section 5. Thisconnects the appropriate return line 12 to the valve slide 7. Anappropriate hole section 6 is also formed on the side of the valve slide7 facing the return line 12 for the return of the pressure fluid withregard to the actuator supply line 85.

A circular sealing element 43 is in each case arranged between thescrew-in element 25 and the seating ring 24. The screw-in element 25 isscrewed into the valve housing from the return line 12—refer also to thescrew-in slot in FIG. 6—and presses the seating ring 24 on acorresponding shoulder within the valve housing directly above the valveslide 7.

It should be noted that the same parts in all the figures are designatedby the same reference symbols and are sometimes explained only inconjunction with one figure.

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation of the valve control device 1 accordingto FIG. 1. In particular it can be seen how the actuator supply lines 85open out in a face side of the lower housing cover 28. Furthermore, itcan be seen that the corresponding valve slide 7 of each valve housing2, 39, 40, 41 is visible at the end of the corresponding valve housingin a hole such as a boring which is open on the outside.

With the use of housing covers 27, 28 with small dimensions lateral tothe valve housings, only for example three, two or only one valvehousings can be arranged between the housing covers. Similarly there isthe possibility of arranging more than four valve housings adjacently,in particular side-by-side. It is also possible to arrange valvehousings not just adjacently in the horizontal direction, but also oneabove the other in the vertical direction. This can occur for examplewith the arrangement of an intermediate cover between various horizontalrows of valve housings in order to supply them appropriately withpressure fluid or to return pressure fluid from the correspondingactuators.

In FIG. 4 a section along the line IV-IV through the valve housing 2according to FIG. 3 is illustrated. The section according to FIG. 2corresponds here to a section through FIG. 4 in the region of the returnline 12 or the main return line 30.

In FIG. 4 the upper and lower housing covers 27, 28 areillustrated—refer also to FIG. 3—while in FIG. 5 the correspondingdevice without these housing covers is illustrated.

The valve housing 2 as such is composed in the longitudinal direction 44of the valve slide 7 of a row of housing segments. Various housingsegments 33 contain the actual valves, whereby these housing segmentsare spaced by further housing segments 34. Furthermore, at the left endin FIG. 4 an end segment 35 and at the opposite end a drive housingsegment 36 are arranged.

Between the individual housing segments and between these and the valveslide a row of sealing elements 88 is arranged. The valve slide passesthrough appropriate slide holes 37 in each of the housing segments andextends over the complete length of the valve housing. At its slide end49 facing the end segment 35, the valve slide has a pin-shaped alignmentprotrusion 50. This is spaced radially outwards from the valve slide andis guided in an alignment groove 51 in the end segment 35.

The various intermediate housing segments 34 are essentially allconstructed the same and act as spacers for the valve housing segments33. These are also essentially constructed the same and—refer to FIGS. 4and 5—are inserted in reverse in each case. Each of the valve housingsegments comprises hole or boring sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 which areaccordingly connected to the feed line 10, return line 12 or to theanalogous feed lines 10 or return lines 12 on the side of the actuatorsupply line 85. The corresponding hole section 3 in the valve housingsegment 33 nearest to the end segment 35 opens into the correspondingslide hole 37, whereby in this region in the valve slide 7 a first flowhole 8 and a first valve element 16 are arranged. The first flow hole 8comprises as does also the second flow hole 9 in the adjacent valvehousing segment 33 a first subsection 21 and a second subsection 22 ineach case, which run at an angle to each other, forming an approximateV-shape. The first subsection 21 is assigned to the hole section 3 andthe second subsection 22 to the hole section 4 with appropriatepositioning of the valve slide. In the position of the valve slide 7illustrated in FIG. 4 no flow occurs through the first flow hole 8.Instead the pressure fluid is passed via the hole section 3 and apressure supply hole 23 to the corresponding valve element 16, whereinthis is in its closed position 15. In this closed position it contactsits seating ring 24 with valve seat 13. The valve seat 13 is formed byan opening edge of the seating ring 24. The central opening of theseating ring 24 and the longitudinal hole 26 of the screw-in element 25together form the corresponding hole section 4. The dimensions of thepressure supply hole 23 are less than those of the associated flow hole8 or 9, so that the corresponding valve element is always pressed by asufficiently high pressure tightly onto the valve seat 13 or 14 in theclosed position.

The second flow hole 9 is in its connecting position 18 in FIG. 4 sothat fluid from the actuator 11—refer to FIG. 4—can be routed via theactuator supply line 25, return line 12, hole section 6, second flowhole 9, hole section 5 and a further return line 12 back to the mainreturn line 30. The corresponding valve element 17, which is arrangedlaterally adjacent to the second flow hole 9, is brought back into itsappropriate receptacle 19 and makes contact with an approximatelyhemispherical bottom section 32 of the receptacle 19.

When feeding pressure fluid from actuator 11, the valve slide 7 is movedso far to the left in FIG. 4 that the valve element 16 is no longer inthe closed position 15, but instead is pressed back into itscorresponding receptacle 19, while the first flow hole 8 makes theconnection between the hole sections 3 and 4 so that pressure fluid canbe routed via the main feed line 29, feed line 10, hole section 3, firstflow hole 8, hole section 4, feed line 10 and actuator supply line 85 tothe actuator 11. Correspondingly the valve element 17 is in sealingcontact on the corresponding seating ring 24.

With regard to the valve element it should be noted that this forexample is made from ceramics or hard metal. The corresponding valveseat of the seating ring is generally eroded. Consequently, overallreliable and relatively wear-free sealing is provided with therespective valve element in the closed position 15.

Due to the V-shaped arrangement of the appropriate subsections 21, 22,only a slight movement of the valve slide is required to switch betweenthe closed and the connecting positions 15 of the valve elements 16, 17and the flow positions of the first, respectively second flow hole 8, 9.

It is again pointed out that the description here is given with regardto both FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein also the position of the valve slide isthe same in both figures so that the valve element 16 is pressed in theclosed position 15 onto the valve seat 13 and the valve element 17 isarranged sidewards displaced relative to its valve seat 14. Thecorresponding valve elements 16, 17 are especially formed as valve balls20.

With regard to the screw-in element 25—refer also to FIG. 6—it should benoted that an appropriate sealing element 43 is arranged—refer also toFIG. 2—in each case between the screw-in element and the assignedseating ring.

Similarly, is should also be noted that the various valve housings 39,40, 41 according for example to FIG. 3 are constructed analogously toFIGS. 4 and 5.

The drive housing segment 36 is arranged in the respective right-handpart of the valve housing according to FIGS. 4 and 5. This contains adrive device 45 for the valve slide 7. The drive housing segment 36 isformed approximately pot-shaped with a corresponding cross-section ofthe valve housing and is closed at its open end by a cover 72 as afurther housing segment 65. Also in the drive housing segment and in thecover 72 appropriate flow holes 73, 74 are formed through which thevalve slide 7 extends. Within the drive housing segment the drive device45 comprises in the illustrated embodiment 3 stationary fixed magnets52, 53 and 54 and mobile magnets 55, 56 which are movably supported ineach case between a pair of them. The mobile magnets 55, 56 are attachedto the valve slide 7. The attachment is realised using wedge elements 71with an end section 79 which are movably supported in a longitudinalhole 66 of the valve slide 7. By moving the wedge elements 71 sphericalengaging elements 67 can be moved into a holding position 68—refer forexample to FIG. 5. In this holding position 68 the engaging elements 67protrude radially outwards out of a wall opening 69 over the valve slide7 and engage corresponding grooves or engaging recesses 70 of thecorresponding mobile magnets 55, 56 in order to attach them to the valveslide 7. The corresponding wedge elements 71 have adjacent to the wedgesurfaces in the end section 79/80 receptacles which accommodate theengaging elements 67 when the wedge elements 71 in FIG. 5 are moved tothe right. In this position the engaging elements are prevented fromcoming out of the receptacles 80 by an appropriate guiding end 81 ofeach wedge element 71.

Within the drive housing segment 36 various other housing segments 63,64, 65 are arranged. It has already been pointed out that the housingsegment 65 forms a cover 72 for closure of the motor housing segment 36.The other housing segments 63 and 64 are used for fixing the stationaryfixed magnets 52 and 53 and also as retainer rings 75, 76 whichaccommodate the corresponding movable mobile magnets 55, 56 and keep theother housing segments 63, 64, 65 at a distance.

With regard to one of the stationary fixed magnets—see reference symbol54—it should be noted that it is supported in an appropriate coverindentation 77 of the cover 72.

In conjunction with FIG. 4 reference has already been made to the supplyholes 46 in the upper housing cover 27. To these are aligned appropriateopenings 78 in the valve housing or appropriate openings in the retainerrings 75, 76. They are used for the passage of the electrical supply andcontrol cables 47, 48 of the corresponding mobile magnets 55, 56 alsoduring their movement together with the valve slide 7.

The stationary fixed magnets 52, 53 and 54 are formed as permanentmagnets and especially as neodymium magnets. The mobile magnets 55, 56are in contrast formed as electromagnets with an iron core 60 with anelectrical winding 61 fitted to them externally—see also FIG. 7. Thepolarisation of the magnetic field of the mobile magnets 55, 56 changesaccording to the current applied via the corresponding electrical cables47, 48, so that the mobile magnets are respectively attracted orrepelled corresponding to the alignment of the magnetic poles of thefixed magnets. In FIG. 5 the appropriate mobile magnets 55, 56 are eachin the attraction position 57 relative to the fixed magnets 53 and 54and in the repulsion position 58 relative to the fixed magnets 52 and53—see also FIG. 7.

The arrangement of the drive device 45 according to FIGS. 4 and 5 isonly an example. There is also the possibility of substituting the drivedevice between the valve housing segments 33 or also of substituting thearrangement with regard to the end segments 35. Due to the to-and-fromovement of the mobile magnets 55, 56 between the assigned fixed magnets52, 53, and 53, 54, an analogous to-and-fro movement of the valve slide7 arises independently of the arrangement of the drive device 45.Furthermore it should be pointed out that the formation and arrangementof the valve housing segments is also variable in order to realisevarious directional control valves, such as 2/2, 3/2, 4/2, 4/3, 5/2, 5/3directional control valves, etc. Similarly there is the possibility ofrealising the movement of the valve slide 7 in one direction due toappropriate force application using a spring element or similarcomponent, while only the movement in the other direction is realised bythe drive device 45. In this case for example a fixed magnet 52 wouldnot be needed. Also, the force application can be used in addition tothe illustrated drive device according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In FIG. 6 a plan view of the valve housing 2 is illustrated according toFIG. 5. Again the various housing segments 33, 34, 35 and 36 can be seenwith the cover 72. These have—see also FIG. 3—an approximately squarecross-section.

With the valve segment 33 with the screw-in element 25 on the upperside, it can also be seen that here a screw-in slot is formed forscrewing in the screw-in element 25 and therefore for the fixing of thecorresponding seating ring 24.

In the region of the drive housing segment 36 the two supply holes 46can be seen, through which the appropriate electrical supply and controlcables 47, 48 can be brought out of the valve housing.

In FIG. 7 a simplified schematic diagram of a drive device is shown asit is employed together with the valve control device 1 according to theprevious figures.

In this case the drive device comprises two fixed magnets 52, 53,between which a mobile magnet 55 can be moved to and fro. The letters“N” and “S” indicate in the usual way the corresponding polarisation ofthe magnetic field of the fixed magnets 52, 53 which are formed aspermanent magnets. Depending on the polarisation of the mobile magnet 55with the iron core 60 and the electrical winding 61 fitted to it, it iseither attracted by the left or the right fixed magnet 52, 53 and, dueto the corresponding assignment of the magnetic poles of the fixedmagnets, repelled in each case by the other fixed magnet. In FIG. 7 themobile magnet 55 is arranged in an attraction position 57 with regard tothe fixed magnet 53 and in a repulsion position 58 with regard to thefixed magnet 52. With the current flow through the electrical winding 61reversed, the magnetic polarisation of the mobile magnet 55 is alsochanged so that then an attraction by the fixed magnet 52 and arepulsion by the fixed magnet 53 occurs and the mobile magnet 55 ismoved into an attraction position with respect to the fixed magnet 52and consequently takes up the corresponding repulsion position 58 withregard to the other fixed magnet 53. The relevant fixed magnets 52, 53exhibit appropriate guide holes 62 through which an actuating element 59is passed. This actuating element 59 is connected to the mobile magnet55—see also FIG. 5—so that the actuating element 59 moves to and frotogether with the mobile magnet 55.

With the valve control device according to the invention the actuatingelement 59 is directly the valve slide. However, there is also thepossibility that for example the actuating element 59 presses with oneof its ends onto an assigned end of the valve slide 7 andcorrespondingly with the movement of the actuating element 59, the valveslide 7 is also moved. The resetting of the valve slide 7 could in thisconnection for example occur using a spring element, etc.

The distance 89 between the mobile magnet 55 and the fixed magnet 52according to FIG. 7 corresponds to the movement stroke of the mobilemagnet, whereby it corresponds to a movement stroke of the valve slide 7in order to realise the different connecting positions 18 of the firstand second flow hole or closed positions 15 of the first and secondvalve elements 16, 17.

FIG. 7 also illustrates a spring element 82 which is arranged on theactuating element 59 and supports the displacement of the mobile magnet55 into the position shown in FIG. 7. Generally, however such a springelement 82 may be omitted.

The drive device 45 according to the invention can execute switchingfrom the attraction and repulsion positions and therefore correspondingmovement of the mobile magnet in the direction of the other respectivefixed magnet in the region of a few milliseconds, i.e. in less than 10,less than 5 and also less than one millisecond. Consequently, the drivedevice 45 according to the invention is suitable for extremely shortswitching times. Furthermore, due to the formation of the fixed magnets52, 53, 54 as permanent magnets, it is not necessary that a currentflows continually through the electrical winding 61. The appropriateiron core 60 of the mobile magnet is held in the correspondingattraction position 57 also without such a holding current. A shortcurrent pulse, which changes the magnetic polarisation of the mobilemagnet and leads to an attraction by the fixed magnet 52 and a repulsionby the fixed magnet 53, is required only for the movement of the mobilemagnet in the direction of the other fixed magnet 52. Consequently, thewinding carries no holding current between the corresponding currentpulses for magnetic reversal of the mobile magnet.

An electrical circuit 83 suitable for feeding such current pulses isshown schematically in FIG. 8. This comprises essentially a directvoltage source 86, a capacitor 90 and a switch 84. On actuating theswitch 84 a current pulse flows through the appropriate winding 61 and acorresponding circuit for feeding a current pulse of reverse polarity issimilarly simply constructed.

There is in this respect the possibility of supplying all electricalwindings of the various mobile magnets with current pulses from the samecircuits, whereby, if applicable, an inversion or feed reversal of thecurrent pulses to the individual windings is needed.

1-29. (canceled)
 30. A drive device for the displacement of a valveslide of a valve control device, the drive device comprising: at leastone stationary fixed magnet and one mobile magnet movably supportedrelative to the stationary fixed magnet; wherein the magneticpolarisation of at least one of these magnets can be switched, anddepending on the polarisation of the mobile magnet, the mobile magnet isreciprocably movable relative to the stationary fixed magnet between anattraction position and a repulsion position; and an actuating elementmovably connected to the mobile magnet
 31. A drive device according toclaim 30 wherein the mobile magnet is supported for reciprocablemovement between two oppositely magnetically polarised stationary fixedmagnets.
 32. The drive device according to claim 30 wherein the mobilemagnet can be switched in its magnetic polarisation.
 33. A drive deviceaccording to one of claim 30 wherein the fixed magnet is a permanentmagnet.
 34. The drive device according to claim 30 wherein the mobilemagnet comprises a core of magnetisable material with at least oneelectrical winding on its circumference.
 35. (canceled)
 36. The drivedevice according to claim 30 wherein at least one fixed magnet includesa guide hole running in the movement direction of the mobile magnet andthrough which an actuating element is passed. 37.-38. (canceled)
 39. Thedrive device according to claim 30 wherein the stationary fixed magnetis supported in a housing segment of aluminium. 40.-43. (canceled) 44.The drive device according to claim 30 wherein the drive devicecomprises a cylindrical drive housing segment, open at one end, withfit-on cover. 45.-50. (canceled)
 51. The drive device according to claim30 further including at least one spring element assigned to theactuating element between the mobile and fixed magnets for forcing themobile magnet away from the stationary fixed magnet. 52.-54. (canceled)55. The drive device according to claim 30 wherein a switching time forthe drive device is less than 10 ms, preferably less than 5 ms andespecially preferably less than 1 ms.